Ex-mufti: In Syrian conflict, Malay youths see chance to shine for Islam
(Malay Mail Online) – The prospect of helping out Muslims in need and to fight and die in the name of Islam is what is attracting many young Malays here to take part in the ongoing armed conflict in Syria, former Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin has said.
The Islamic scholar said that he had been approached “many times” by young Malays expressing an interest in taking part in the conflict, and that many of them felt “frustrated” over what was happening to fellow Muslims over there and not being able to do anything about it.
“I know lots of Malay youths have been asking me about it, either in person or through email. The offer is attractive to them,” he told The Malay Mail Online when contacted.
“In Malaysia, there is unhappiness over what is happening, a sense of injustice… many of these youths have a good intention, because they see Muslims in Syria being bombed and killed so they feel that they want to help out whatever way they can.
“There is also a feeling that this will be a big reward because you are giving yourself to defend your religion,” Asri added.
But while many youths here may have good intentions in wanting to participate in the Syrian conflict, Asri stressed that he has strongly discouraged them from doing so.
“I tell them, don’t go….if you want to take part in a jihad, there must be a clear purpose or reason. In the issue involving Syria, we have yet to be sure of the specifics of the conflict, who is in the wrong, or who is right,” he said, and that much news surrounding the crisis so far remained “accusations” and have yet to be verified.
“You also need a clear leader to guide you if taking part in a jihad. If you are unfamiliar with the culture and laws there or the political situation, it is easy to be duped…you might even end up attacking villagers whom you think is the enemy,” the former mufti stressed.
Asri’s remarks come amid reports of an alleged involvement of Malaysian militants in the ongoing Syrian armed conflict.
